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The owner of the building that once housed the Park Place skilled nursing care and rehabilitation center has requested an 18-month tax deferment from the city of Glenwood so he can secure a loan to fund a $1.25 million renovation of the property at 114 Green Street.

Aaron Rodenburg told members of the Glenwood City Council last week he would like to turn the building into a privately-operated assisted living facility that could house between 60-90 residents.

Bring on the chickens.
After months of sometimes heated debate, the Glenwood City Council has passed the final reading of an ordinance that will allow city residents to raise chickens in their back yards. The final vote on the ordinance passed by a 3-2 margin at the council’s regular meeting Tuesday, Oct. 11. Council members Craig Florian, Jessie Lundvall and Jeremy Rodman voted “yes” on the measure, with Susan Hirschman and Dan McComb opposed.

The Glenwood City Council has been asked to consider funding a comprehensive hotel market study for a possible “upper midscale hotel” to be located within the city limits.

Mills County Economic Development Director Rick Allely presented a seven-page written proposal to council members at their regular meeting Sept. 27 on behalf of Wisconsin-based Hospitality Marketer’s International, Inc. (HMI), a firm that has been contacted about conducting a market study in Glenwood for a potential hotel developer.

In 12 years of growing grapes, Doug Grave has never seen a more bountiful crop than what’s been harvested from his family’s Bodega Victoriana vineyard over the past two months.

“This year, we’re having a bumper crop – probably the best crop we’ve ever had,” Grave said during a recent interview. “We’re having a bumper crop with every variety, except for one of the 12 that we grow.”

A petition signed by more than 200 residents wasn’t enough to stop the Glenwood City Council from passing the second reading of an ordinance that will allow citizens to harbor chickens and have chicken coops within the city limits.

Mills County native John Scherle was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award during the Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Association’s Hall of Fame induction last month in Arnolds Park. The Labor Day Weekend event, which included music performed by IRRMA Hall of Fame inductees, took place at the Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Museum.

“It was quite an honor,” Scherle said. “Bill Hillman of Shenandoah is on the board of the IRRMA and he nominated me. I am grateful to him for doing that.”

Early voting is under way in Iowa for the Nov. 8 general election.
The first Mills County ballot of the 2016 general election was cast Thursday morning at the Mills County Auditor’s Office by Glenwood resident Jackie Blasdel.

Early voting will be taking place during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) at the county auditor’s office until Monday, Nov. 7. The office will also be open for voting on Saturday, Oct. 29 and Saturday, Nov. 5 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

With nearly 80 percent of the capital campaign goal reached, proponents of the proposed Glen Haven Village skilled nursing center are increasingly optimistic the $3.2 million project will become a reality.

Just four weeks before Mark Troutman allegedly shot and killed Kathryn Weber-Kuhl, the Lucas County, Ohio Probation Office released the 27-year-old from probation following his successful completion of a diversion program that included treatment for an addiction to prescription pain killers.